Tata Nexon.ev facelift unveiled a week ahead of launch

Closely following the debut of the ICE versions of the Nexon facelift, Tata Motors has now taken the wraps off the Nexon.ev. Unlike the ICE versions, which have received their second facelift, this is the first mid-life cycle update for the Nexon EV – now renamed Nexon.ev – but as before, both the ICE and EV versions continue to sport a similar design.

Apart from cosmetic and features updates, the Nexon.ev also gets mechanical updates to the powertrain which contributes to improved efficiency. Prices for the Nexon.ev facelift will be announced on September 14, and bookings are slated to begin from September 9.

Tata Motors claims the new design is more aerodynamic, and the new LED lighting elements more energy efficient, and contribute to improved range

STYLING UPDATES INSPIRED BY CURVV CONCEPT

Just as the regular Nexon, updates to the Nexon.ev are inspired by the Curvv concept. But while the outgoing Nexon and Nexon EV looked identical to each other save for the electric blue accents, the facelifted models are more differentiated. Tata Motors claims the new design is more aerodynamic, and even the new LED lighting elements are more energy efficient, thereby contributing to improved range.  

Changes on the EV include a single-tone, body-coloured finish for the upper portion of the grille – on the ICE versions, this is finished in a contrasting black shade. The lower portion of the grille and the trapezoidal headlamp housings, meanwhile, gets a unique slatted design – the latter even features functional air vents. But the most distinctive characteristic on the EV is the full-width LED light band running across the nose that’s a direct lift from the Curvv concept – it even has a functional value as it shows the charging status. Elsewhere, the EV wears a ‘.ev’ badge at the rear.

From the rear, the Nexon.ev is very similar to its ICE version with connected LED tail-lamps, a pronounced roof-mounted spoiler and a chunky bumper finished in the body colour, along with contrasting black-and-silver trims.

As with the regular Nexon, the Nexon.ev also gets a split headlamp design with sequential LED daytime running lights (DRLs) signatures and trapezoidal housings for the main cluster, a large grille on the lower bumper with a thick plastic bar running across it, and a faux-silver skid plate. In profile, the Nexon.ev remains largely unchanged, but gets a new design for the alloys that are identical to the ICE versions.

At the rear, again, the Nexon.ev is largely similar to the ICE version with connected LED tail-lamps, a pronounced roof-mounted spoiler and a chunky bumper finished in the body colour, along with contrasting black and silver trims.

TATA NEXON.EV INTERIOR AND FEATURES

The Nexon.ev shares its dashboard design with the regular Nexon. It gets an all-new layered design that’s finished in multiple texture and materials – there’s a carbon fibre-like trim, soft touch materials, and several piano black surfaces. The rotary drive selector on the centre console, meanwhile, has been swapped with a traditional looking gear lever.  

Class-leading 12.3-inch touchscreen with an all-new user interface on the top-spec variant is even larger than the 10.25-inch screen on the ICE Nexon.

Highlights include a class-leading 12.3-inch touchscreen with an all-new user interface on the top-spec variant – this is even larger than the 10.25-inch screen on the ICE Nexon. It also gets the two-spoke illuminated steering wheel, new customizable 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with navigation display, and the new touch-based HVAC controls with toggle switches. The graphics on the screens are crisp and high resolution, and even the touch-based climate controls are relatively slick to operate. The feeling is that of a high-tech cabin with minimal use of physical controls.

Other features on the top-spec Nexon.ev facelift include a 360-degree camera, connected car tech, a wireless charger, ventilated front seats, air purifier, fast charging type-C ports, single-pane sunroof, JBL-branded sound system, voice commands, OTA updates and more. Tata has also introduced a new Arcade.ev app suite that lets you stream your favorite OTT platforms such as Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar and the works.  

Safety features on the Nexon facelift include six airbags, ABS and ESC as standard, front parking sensors, blind view monitor, three-point seat belts for all seats, ISOFIX anchors, hill descent and ascent control, all-wheel disc brakes, panic brake alert as well as emergency and breakdown call assist. Tata also claims to have reinforced the body structure for improved side pole protection.  

TATA NEXON.EV POWERTRAIN, RANGE AND BATTERY

With this facelift on India’s best-selling electric passenger vehicle, Tata Motors has dropped the Prime and Max suffixes, and instead uses Medium Range (MR) and Long Range (LR) to differentiate between the two variants of the Nexon.ev.

The Nexon.ev MR continues with the 30kWh battery, while the LR continues with the larger 40.5kWh battery. But while battery sizes have remianed the same, range has actually gone up. The MR has an ARAI-claimed range of 325km, while the LR has a range of 465km, both of which are 12km more than before, thanks in part to the improved aerodynamics and other efficiency measures. The battery continues with IP67 protection levels. 

Both the Nexon.ev Medium Range and Long Range now get a 7.2kW AC charger as standard with which the batteries can be topped up from 10% to 100% in 4.3 hours for the MR, and 6 hours for the LR.

Both versions now get a 7.2kW AC charger as standard with which the batteries can be topped up from 10 to 100 percent in 4.3 hours for the MR, and 6 hours for the LR. With a DC fast charger, that time reduces to just 56 mins for both versions. The Nexon.ev now even gets V2V (vehicle to vehicle) and V2L (vehicle to load) charging capabilities, which means you can charger other electrical appliances or even another EV with the Nexon.ev. To further the cause of efficiency, Tata claims the Nexon.ev is fitted with tires that have the lowest rolling resistance in the country.  

The Nexon.ev now gets a new Gen-2 permanent magnet synchronous motor that's claimed to be 20kg lighter, uses 30 percent less rare earth materials, and has improved cooling, battery management and more efficient components. It gets four-level brake regeneration that's improved by 10-15 percent, and can be controlled through the paddle shifters.

While the Nexon.ev MR produces 129hp and 215 Nm of torque, the LR produces 145hp and 215 Nm.

As for outputs, the MR produces 129hp and 215Nm of torque, while the LR produces 145hp and 215Nm. Interestingly, power outputs have remained the same, but torque on the MR variant has actually gone down by 30Nm, while on the LR variant, it's is down by 38Nm. Tata Motors claims a 0-100kph sprint of 8.9 seconds for the LR, a top speed of 150kph and improved NVH levels. There are three drive modes on offer - Eco, City and Sport.

VARIANTS, PRICE AND RIVALS

The MR and LR variants are further split into three core trims – Creative, Fearless and the top-spec Empowered. Tata Motors describes these trims as 'Personas', and each comes with their own unique elements such as exterior colours and interior upholstery. These trims also get optional packages denoted by a ‘+’ suffix. The MR variant is available with all three trim while the LR is available with the Fearless and Empowered trims. 

The Nexon.ev facelift has just one direct rival in this segment, and that’s the Mahindra XUV400 EV. As for prices, it will certainly command a premium over the outgoing model given all the tech, equipment and mechanical upgrades it packs in. For reference, the Nexon EV was currently priced between Rs 14.49 lakh-19.54 lakh (ex-showroom).

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